Upper Dublin's Cardinal Stadium plans moving forward

UPPER DUBLIN — There were smiles all around as an overview of the Upper Dublin High School project, now completed except for some final touches and paperwork, was presented at the Upper Dublin School Board’s Oct. 8 meeting.

“The phasing turned into a positive and engaged the community throughout,” Arif Fazil of D’Huy Engineering said. “It really is something for the 21st century.”

Fazil also went over designs being made for Cardinal Stadium, which was not part of the high school project. The district is considering putting in a turf field and replacing the track, which is in disrepair, and Fazil showed a sketch proposing a new, handicapped-accessible stadium entry.

“Current priorities are being designed for bid,” he said.

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Upgrades to bleachers, the concession stand and scoreboard are not being included, and would be something to consider in the future, Fazil said.

Resident Roland Lindh criticized the board, however, for spending more on the high school than he felt was necessary, while “tens of millions are needed for improvements to our other schools.” He also charged that a claim of increasing enrollment had been made in proposing a new high school and the current elementary school numbers do not back that up.

Several board members disputed that claim.

“The high school was not justified by increased enrollment,” board President Joseph Chmielewski said. “We repeatedly stated that we were not building it because we had increased enrollment.”

“What was said over and over was the building was being built to support the curriculum … updated science labs, updated technology … and buildings to support the activities,” said board member Margaret Barrett.

Lindh responded that a Realtor at one meeting had said a new high school would attract people with children to the district.

Board member Art Levinowitz noted the economy has had an impact on the real estate market, with fewer houses turning over, but said the number of those enrolled in kindergarten in the district this year is “one of the highest numbers we’ve had in 10 to 12 years. I think we will see a trend and the number will go up.”

Regarding needs at the other schools, Chmielewski acknowledged the middle school “is toward the end of its life cycle. We are aware that Sandy Run is an issue that will need to be addressed,” he said.

In other business, in keeping with its emphasis on providing healthy foods in the district, the board approved an agreement with Fresh Healthy Philly LLC for the placement of one vending machine at Sandy Run Middle School and two at the high school that will sell “assorted healthy snacks and beverages,” providing the district with a 15 percent commission from the sales.